About Ruma

From the idea to the company

An unparalleled global procedure for urine sample examination was developed in the late 1990s: the RUMA marker system. It is the only procedure in the world that permits drug testing without visual control.

On 03 May 2006 the setting up of the new company RUMA GmbH commenced. At the same time the product became a brand. “Ruprecht’s Marker“ became “RUMA“, test packaging came into use as did advertising for the product and an Internet site designed together with the Permanent advertising agency. RUMA was then well and truly on the market. Press articles were published with very positive effect and in May 2006 the first presentation featuring 26 registered medical practitioners and carers for methadone patients was made. Behind the scenes a business plan was drafted with detailed comprehensive goals.

The following target groups were defined:
1. Prisons
2. Probation services
3. Medico-psychological tests
4. Drug substitution facilities
5. Registered medical practitioners
6. Specialised clinics
7. Managed care facilities (drug rehab)
8. Occupational medicine
9. Sports

They were all contacted and RUMA began targeted marketing nationwide. In autumn 2006 it became clear that RUMA was a self-starter, reliable test results being the hallmark of the successful RUMA procedure. This test yields 40% more positive and hence reliable results than those used hitherto, including visual testing.

Relations with decision-makers in all the nine target groups were built up. The company’s structure was simultaneously expanded both in terms of staff and of information management and the address database expanded from 50 to over 7,000 data sets. Notes of meetings, orders and the like are stored in the database as well as the normal contact data. Company logistics were made more professional as well. Stocks, orders and goods movements became written records from this point on. Access to client information at any time is thus easy and quick. A courier service throughout Germany ensured the transport of samples.

RUMA has outsourced logistics, controlling and accounting and employed exclusive call centres since March 2007.

Growth is shown by the data below.

• Average number of tests per day grew from 10 in May 2006 to 350 in spring 2010.
• Currently RUMA has over 350 long-term clients in Germany. A further 1,500 of the over 7,000 clients in the company database are now being contacted.
• In November 2008 an event with over 80 visitors from all the target markets in Germany was held. This contrasts with just 26 from two such markets at a similar event in May 2006.
• In December 2009 a three-day congress was held in Cologne attended by 120 people from all over the world that featured very well prepared lectures and workshop. (Download scripts).

• Test phases are used to convince prospects and in 85% of all cases lead to the RUMA procedure being switched to.

These results are especially impressive as RUMA achieved them entirely alone without support from external investors. The product is now well known to German labs and is available the world over. In its brief history to date RUMA GmbH has established itself as a supplier in its field.

Setting up our own marketing structure has proven worthwhile and sales potential in other countries is very promising.

One of our great strengths is that we learn quickly and constantly update all our marketing data to ensure we’re up to the minute. We’re especially proud of our quality assurance.

To sum up, the company is now extremely professional and is constantly expanding.